Self-Pressurizing, Self-Regulating Liquid Divert and Attitude Control System Propellant Supply System

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne supports the proposed program as a promising technology for a future upgrade to the THAAD DACS and other future DACS program applications. Systima Technologies is proposing an innovative Self-Pressurizing, Self-Regulating LDACS propellant supply system that eliminates the need for high-pressure propellant tanks and for tank pressurization systems. Because the concept does not require high-pressure propellant tanks, the propellant tank's pressure capability (wall thickness) can be minimized, resulting in a weight savings. Additionally because the tanks are not pressurized, the tanks can be shaped to the available space, dramatically increasing the packaging efficiency of the propellant tanks. Since a tank pressurization system is not required, neither are sophisticated tank pressurization system components, high-pressure pressurization tanks, or warm gas pressurization components required. These provide additional, weight, space and cost savings. Further, the elimination of the pressurized tanks eliminates the myriad of safety concerns with long-term storage of pressurized liquid propellants. The Self-Pressurizing, Self-Regulating LDACS Propellant Supply System concept employs gas fed back from the thruster to pressurize the propellants via simple differential-area piston pumps. The piston pumps are located downstream of the tanks and therefore eliminate the high-pressure propellant tanks and tank pressurization systems.